instauration

noun

in·​stau·​ra·​tion ˌin-ˌstȯ-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce instauration (audio)
ˌin(t)-stə-
1
: restoration after decay, lapse, or dilapidation
2
: an act of instituting or establishing something

Did you know?

Instauration first appeared in English in the early 16th century, a product of the Latin verb instaurare, meaning "to renew or restore." This same source gave us our verb store, by way of Middle English and Anglo-French. After instauration broke into English, the philosopher Francis Bacon began writing his Instauratio Magna, which translates to The Great Instauration. This uncompleted collection of works, which was written in Latin, calls for a restoration to a state of paradise on earth, but one in which humankind is enlightened by knowledge and truth.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin instaurātiōn-, instaurātiō "repetition of a religious rite, renewal" (Late Latin, "renovation, restitution"), from instaurāre "to start afresh (an interrupted rite), restore, renew" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at store entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of instauration was circa 1533

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Cite this Entry

“Instauration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instauration. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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